Prime Minister Fumio Kishida just had the most productive Golden Week in Japan’s diplomatic history.

While the rest of the country was taking a break from the end of April to last weekend, Kishida engaged with foreign partners in both Japan and abroad, linking up with counterparts from seven different countries.

More than just photo opportunities, these engagements were meaningful — some producing major developments in Japan’s bilateral relationships with important partners in Southeast Asia and Europe. It comes at a time when Japan is seeking to play a more active role in leading the rules-based international order, and it offers a boost for the Kishida administration as it stares down the Upper House election that will take place in July.